Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Shasta McCloud Management Unit Historic Rentals

Little Mount Hoffman Lookout

From a height of 7,309 feet, Little Mount Hoffman offers a spectacular view of Mt. Shasta, Mt. Lassen, Mt. McLoughlin, and a variety of other interesting landforms. From the Tulelake Basin in the north to the Fall River valley in the south, the 360 degree view offers a peek at some of Northern California's most unique and beautiful scenery.

The Shasta McCloud Management Unit invites you to share a new and exciting recreation experience on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

Located east of majestic Mt. Shasta, in the lava flow area of Medicine Lake, is the Little Mt. Hoffman fire lookout. Restored to it's original character, the lookout is now being offered as an overnight retreat for personal recreation use.

The Little Mt. Hoffman lookout was constructed in the 1920's and was used by the Forest Service on a regular basis until 1978. It is one of the few remaining historic lookouts on the Shasta-Trinity National Forests and is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The Lookout is still occasionally used by the Forest Service in times of extreme fire danger.

Girard Ridge Lookout

The views are simply eye-popping from the Girard Ridge Lookout located above the Sacramento River Canyon at a height of 4,809 feet. To the north spectacular views of Mount Shasta are seen, to the west the gray spires of the Castle Crags frame almost the entire view, and to the southeast there is a distant silhouette of Lassen Peak.

The Girard Ridge Lookout is located near Dunsmuir (north of Redding) on a ridge directly to the east of Interstate 5. In 1997/98, the lookout was restored to its original character by the Forest Service and volunteers from the Castle Crags Interpretive Association, Dunsmuir Chamber of Commerce, Dunsmuir Schools and donations from local building contractors and business. It is now being offered as an overnight retreat for personal recreational use.

The Girard Ridge Lookout was constructed in 1931 and used by the Forest Service on a regular basis until 1981. It is one of the few remaining historic lookouts on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Harris Springs Guard Station

This historic Forest Service Guard Station is located in an open dry meadow surrounded by conifer forest in the northeast portion of the McCloud Ranger District of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

The guard station and garage were built in 1929 or 1930 and retains its original Craftsmen style character which was a popular style during that time period. Both buildings retain many of the original features including shiplap siding, tongue and grove interior walls and wood sash windows. The station was actively used by fire personnel until the late 1990's as both an office and remote fire station.

The Shasta-McCloud Management Unit invites you to come and enjoy a quiet and peaceful vacation in the forest.

Rental Information

The lookouts and guard station are available for rent to the public seasonally on a permit basis to anyone 18 years of age or older. Seasons normally run from July through October (weather and snow permitting), however Girard Ridge may become available earlier in the year due to its lower elevation. The permit lists the conditions the visitor must agree to. The rental fee is $75 per night for a party of 4 or less and these fees are used to maintain the lookouts. Reservations may be made after January 1 of the current year.

Historic rental reservations will be taken through the National Recreation Reservation System by calling 877-444-6777 or through the web at www.recreation.gov.

McCloud Ranger Station
P.O. Box 1620
McCloud, CA  96057

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US Forest Service - Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Last Modified:  Monday, 23 February 2009 at 16:35:48 EST